Qi Ning said, “Your Majesty has just said that since the founding of Chu, there hasn’t been a duke with a different surname. If it’s for a great merit, and Your Majesty take the initiative to bestow it, of course it’s a happy ending for everyone. But if the subject has the intention instead, it’ll be against the ritual system since the founding of the state. The Marquis of Loyalty couldn’t possibly not understand this.”
“Of course he understands,” Longtai said, “The Marquis of Loyalty is a founding minister who has already lived through three dynasties before me.”
“So Your Majesty can bestow the title at the court. If the Marquis of Loyalty refuses to accept the title, it should be wishful thinking on the part of the Empress Dowager, and the Marquis of Loyalty has no treacherous intention,” Qi Ning said, “At least it shows that the Marquis of Loyalty does not dare to break the ancestral system easily, which proves that the Marquis of Loyalty is still
It was unexpected to Qi Ning who was also pleasant. Seeing the seal made by the gold seal, he vaguely recognized the words “Take orders from the heaven. Wish for longevity and eternal prosperity”, that was the emperor’s Imperial Seal.With the Imperial Seal, the paper was a genuine amulet of exoneration, which was more than priceless. He rose to thank the emperor, “Your Majesty’s has shown vast imperial grace, as a subject, I...”Longtai already interrupted him, “No need.”Only then did Yang Ning put away the amulet of exoneration with a smile, and Longtai said, “You said this is a good opportunity for me. What do you mean?”“Your Majesty, if the Marquis of Loyalty takes the title of dukedom, the Duke of Huainan will definitely get cynical, and the Marquis of Loyalty will have more strength to play against the Duke of Huainan.” Qi Ning put away the amulet of exoneration and laughed, “When they’re stuck in the fight, Your Maj
Qi Ning walked out of the imperial palace, and Duan Canghai had been waiting outside for one afternoon in anxiety. Seeing that Qi Ning came out safe and sound, Duan Canghai quickly walked to him to ask.Qi Ning just said that Emperor Longtai told him to have dinner in the imperial palace. Duan Canghai asked in surprise, “Marquis, did His Majesty say why you needed to stay and have dinner?”“His Majesty told me to have dinner with him. Does he need a special reason?” Qi Ning smiled. “Perhaps we feel like old friends at the first meeting, and both of us feel good.”Duan Canghai knew that when the emperor summoned an official, especially for the first time, the meeting would end soon. He didn’t see Qi Ning come out after one afternoon, so he thought that there was something wrong and felt anxious. Hearing that Qi Ning came out after dinner, he was astonished. After all, it was rare that an official stayed in the imperial palace to have dinn
Seeing the regained pictures about swordsmanship, Qi Ning was shocked and put them in his pocket conveniently. Then he jumped out of the window and stood behind the room.As soon as he fell on the floor, he heard a voice. “Who?” Then he saw two black figures rush over from a hideout. Qi Ning knew that they were guards in the mansion, so he said in a deep voice, “It’s me.”The two rushed over, and one of them was Qi Feng. He asked in surprise after seeing Qi Ning, “Marquis, you...”“Didn’t you find anybody else?” Qi Ning asked with a frown.Qi Feng and the other looked at each other and shook their heads. Qi Feng frowned. “Marquis, did you find anything? We are guarding at the back, and there are guards around the courtyard...”Qi Ning knew that Duan Canghai had strengthened the defense and that Qi Feng might not be powerful in martial arts but was highly alert as he had been a guard in the mansion for many years
Next day, Qi Ning slept in and nobody disturbed him. Till noon, he was awakened by the knock at the door, so he got up and asked, “Who disturbs me when I am sleeping?”It was the new steward Han Shou’s voice outside. “Marquis, somebody was sent from the mansion of Divine Marquis to invite you to dinner. He has been waiting quite a while. Will you see him?”Qi Ning was stunned and wondered why somebody from the mansion of Divine Marquis came to invite him to dinner. Did they want to apologize for the misunderstanding that night?He got up and opened the door. The servants brought hot water and helped him wash up. After everything was finished, Qi Ning went out. Han Shou was waiting outside and stated respectfully in a hurry after seeing him, “Marquis, Captain Qu came and said that Divine Marquis Ximen sent him to invite you to dinner.”“Divine Marquis Ximen sent somebody to invite me?” Qi Ning was surprised and thought that h
Ximen Zhanying was in awe of Divine Marquis obviously. Although she was unwilling, she still walked back and came to the table. Qi Ning smiled. “Lady Zhanying, thank you.”Ximen Zhanying stated involuntarily, “Don’t call me like this.”Divine Marquis Ximen coughed, and Ximen Zhanying had to stand aside, letting her hands hang by the sides, but her pretty face seemed to be covered with frost.“Lady Zhanying, in fact, you don’t need to force yourself if you are unwilling.” Qi Ning sighed. “I and Divine Marquis are drinking. If you look distant, er...” He shook his head with a bitter smile.Ximen Zhanying knew that Qi Ning intentionally added fuel to the flames, so she wished to cut him to death with a knife, yet under Divine Marquis Ximen’s stare, she had to say, “Marquis, please drink. I just serve you and won’t influence your mood.” She glanced at Divine Marquis Ximen. Obviously, she even blamed her father.Qi N
Divine Marquis Ximen trembled, and Ximen Zhanying looked shocked slightly.After a moment of silence, Divine Marquis clapped and praised, “The younger generation will surpass the older. Marquis, in fact, I have heard that the heir in the mansion of the Marquis of Honor is slow-witted. Today I finally know that the hearsay is unreliable. You are thoughtful and scrupulous. Even the experienced masters in handling cases may not consider so carefully.”“Divine Marquis, you flatter me.” Being praised by this old detective, Qi Ning felt shy. “I just teach fish to swim and incur ridicule.”Divine Marquis shook his head. “Marquis, don’t be so modest.” He looked at Ximen Zhanying and asked, “Do you know what profiting more from one consultation than from ten years of reading means? Marquis analyses reasonably. Can you think of this point?”Ximen Zhanying thought that what Qi Ning said made sense, but she still stated reluctantly, “Fa
Qi Ning instantly came back to reality and realized that there was no abstractionism in this era.He just saw that this painting of Divine Marquis’s was vague but with smooth lines, seeming to be of artistic conception, so he thought of the abstract paintings involuntarily. In fact, he knew only a little about the abstract paintings.“Oh?” Seeing that Divine Marquis looked at him, Qi Ning had to say, “That’s a school of painting. Haven’t you heard of it, Divine Marquis?” He knew that it was impossible for Divine Marquis to hear of the abstractionism, yet he had to say so now.Obviously, Divine Marquis was interested. “I know something about the schools of painting. As far as I know, there are mainly two schools nowadays, the north school and the south school of painting. The north school mainly paints scenery with hills and waters, and the south school is adept at painting living things, such as birds, beasts and characters. There are mo
After they walked out of the Leisure House, Qu Xiaocang was nowhere to be seen, and only Duan Canghai was waiting outside. Ximen Zhanying had a saber with her. She glanced at Duan Canghai and said coldly, “You have a guard to protect you, so you don’t need me to escort you.”“Zhanying, it’s Divine Marquis’s kindness. If I refuse him, I will show disrespect for him, and he will probably be unhappy.” Qi Ning sighed. “In fact, I don’t want you to escort me. How about I come back in and tell him that you have jobs to do and don’t want to send me home?”Ximen Zhanying said angrily, “You can’t call me like this again.”“What should I call you?” Qi Ning smiled. “How about I call you Ying? Divine Marquis is my friend, and you are young, so it must be okay if I call you Ying like him.”Ximen Zhanying was furious and snorted, walking out. After she took a few steps, she looked back and asked in a rage, “Why don’t you go?”